Hemodynamics changes and altered expression of VEGFA and VEGFR during early stages of cystic ovarian disease (COD)

DÍAZ PU, BARAVELLE ME; GAREIS NC; LEIVA CJM; BELOTTI EM; DURANTE LN; REY F; SALVETTI NR; ORTEGA HH

Buenos Aires

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biociencias; 2017

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica (SAIC), SAFE y Sociedades relacionadas

Thecystic ovarian disease is an important disorder in dairy cows characterised byfollicles in the ovary that persistent and fail to ovulate. Thephysiopathogenesis is multifactorial with an important role of localintraovarian factors. During folliculogenesis, complex functions as thefollicular recruitment, steroidogenesis and ovulation are coordinated. For thispurpose, the follicular cells need the input of nutrients and hormones comingfrom blood vessels. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of themain pro-angiogenic factors, and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) is the major mediatorof the angiogenic effects of VEGF. The VEGFA protein expression in follicularcells increases significantly during the folliculogenesis. Little is knownabout hemodynamic and the role of the pro-angiogenic factors in the developmentof COD. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemodynamic changes by Dopplerultrasound and the VEGFA and VEGFR2 expression by immunohistochemistry in afollicular persistence model induced by progesterone (groups P0, P5, P10 y P15)and controls. Results showed changes in VEGFA expression during thefolliculogenesis in P0, P15, and the VEGFR2 expression was modified in allgroups evaluated (p<0,05). Moreover, an increased expression of VEGFA andVEGFR2 in theca cells was detected in persistent follicles from P0 in relation tothe antral follicles from control group (p<0,05). During the analysis ofsanguine flow, we could detect that control follicles had a greater irrigationarea in relation to the persistent follicles of P0, P10 and P15 (p <0.05).We can conclude that important hemodynamic changes and alterations of theexpression of VEGFA and its receptor occur during follicular persistence. Thisstudy suggests a determinant role of local irrigation in the development andmaintenance of persistent follicles from early stages of EQO.